ANKARA Ñ Israel and the United States have launched an effort to
help Turkey in its war against Al Qaida.
Turkish officials said Israel and the United States have pledged to send
security and intelligence teams to Turkey. They said the teams will help
investigate the two suicide strikes over the last week as well as brief
Turkey on the Al Qaida threat.
Israel's Mossad director Meir Dagan left for Turkey over the weekend in
wake of Thursday's twin suicide bombing attack in Istanbu, Middle East Newsline reportedl. At least 27
people were killed, including the British consul-general in that city.
Officials said a U.S. team will also be arriving in Istanbul or Ankara
over the next few days. They said this team is expected to comprise CIA
agents and officials from the State Department's Coordinator on
Counter-Terrorism office.
Britain has also relayed its intention to investigate the latest Al Qaida
bombing. Officials said a British team has already arrived in Istanbul and
launched its own probe into security arrangements surrounding the British
Consulate.
